Nature Notes: Spring around the corner

My narcissus that bloomed too soon has some flowers that bounced back.

Although we're still in winter, it won't be long until spring arrives.

The male rufous-sided towhee was enjoying a mild day.

The female towhee below was also enjoying the day.

I realize I'm projecting human feelings when I talk about the animals but I'm going to do it any way.

The yellow rumped warbler comes to my deck with I put out cold weather treats.

The male cardinal looks like an exotic flower to me.

I caught the female rufous-sided towhee with her mouth open.

In the next shot a male towhee has his mouth open and a sparrow is blending into the deck.

Below is another male towhee.

Last but not least is a female cardinal.

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Today's Flowers: Snow and Thaw

This weekend it is staying a few degrees above freezing and raining. 

Last weekend it was snowing.

Ordinarily when I get to photograph flowers in the snow it's in March.

In a lot of ways this month has been more like March.

Part of the month has been quite cold but then it warms up.

After the snow melted I propped up a daffodil, that had been bent all the way to the ground, for a shot.

 

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Photohunters: Pet Portrait and Upper

  Pet Portrait Photohunt

Upper Photohunt

To combine the two photohunters themes, I went back to old shots I took of Trono and Abby in the 1990s. They are both died a long time ago.

The first shot only shows their upper body but the second shot shows their upper and lower body.

Click Pet Portrait Photohunt and or click for the Upper Photohunt.

Nature Notes: February flies along

Like every other month this winter, February is a mix of weather.

It snowed over the weekend and I tried to capture it falling.

In some ways I find it easier to photograph falling snow at night than in the day time.

The premature narcissus was covered in snow.

The bluejay below was having a snack while the snow fell although you can barely see the snow in this shot.

The female cardinal below was all puffed out for warmth.

The next shot was taken at sunrise and the birds gathered in the tree.

The female cardinal arrived at my deck for breakfast.

The camellias look pretty to me in the snow even when they turn brown.

Berries in the snow always make me think of Christmas even though we only rarely have a white Christmas.

The bird in the next shot is a rufous-sided towhee and the sundial is waiting for the sun.

The male cardinal always stands out in his flamboyant feathers.

The female rufous-sided towhee is having a big breakfast.

A sparrow and a male rufous-sided towhee look pretty close for comfort.

Finally the male towhee has the space for himself.

The juncos always come to my deck when I put out food in cold weather.

Below is a sunrise shot I took.

My deck was covered in bird footprints.

After some sunny days most of the snow has melted.

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Today's Flowers: What a Difference a Day Makes

Yesterday, Friday, I noticed the Japanese Magnolia was beginning to get some buds.

This tree frequently blooms too early and the blooms are short lived.

Today, Saturday, it started off raining but then changed over to snow around 10:00 am.

I photographed the camellia above from my kitchen door and the camellia below from my bedroom window.

The next shot is Pieris Japonica which I shot from my living room window.

The last shot was also taken from my living room window and includes my camellia with the Pieris Japonica. Fortunately, unlike my neighbor's camellias, my camellia isn't blooming yet and hopefully will hold off until spring.

Click for the home of Today's Flowers.